Spain local time Jun 17, “Europe Solar Decathlon Competition 2010” began at the foot of Madrid Palace along the Manzanares River. Chinese Ambassador to Spain Zhu Bangzao, inspector of Chinese Science and Technology Department of Housing and Construction Wu Yong, and our vice-president Chen XIaolong attended the opening ceremony.

3 students from U.S., Spain and China gave speeches on behalf of all the competitors. Team Leader Yu Zhongqi of our university was one of the speakers.

After the opening ceremony, accompanied by Vice-president Chen Xiaolong, Ambassador Zhu Bangzao visited our project --- “Solar Bamboo House”,. Zhu Bangzao asked in detail about the main features and various functions of the house, expressing his great concerns about Tongji in this competition and his support on our participation. Chen Xiaolong said, after the competition Tongji would present the bamboo chair as a gift to embassy. Ambassador Zhu Bangzao accepted it with pleasure.

At 6pm, Spanish Crown Prince Felipe visited our Solar Bamboo House. Chen Xiaolong introduced the whole construction and functions of the house. Crown Prince Felipe expressed strong interest in the comfortable environment and elegant design in the house, and cordially shook hands with our team members in the courtyard.

On the same day in the Solar Bamboo House, Vice-president Chen Xiaolong met with vice-president of Madrid Polytechnic University, officials of UN Environment and Climate Change Department, Commissioner appointed by U.S. Energy Department and other representatives from international organizations, and visited projects from other universities with great interest. Vice-president had lunch with all the team members in the Solar Bamboo House, he fully appreciated their previous constructional outcome, and looked forward to an outstanding result Solar Bamboo House could achieve in the competition phase next week.